Report by Humayun Kabir from Lisbon, Portugal.
The GSE Expo Europe -2024 show opened today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony by board members from the International Airport Equipment Manufacturers Association (IAEMA) and representatives from Ground Handling International (GHI).
By mid-afternoon, over 2,500 industry professionals had passed through the doors on day one at the FIL in Lisbon, Portugal with over 170 companies exhibiting inside and outside.
In the Innovation Zone, visitors heard about the latest developments in autonomous vehicles, electrification and how automation solutions can improve ground handling operations.
The Demo Zone had demonstrations from Linde Material Handling of its P350 Baggage Tractor and Timsan displayed the EBC7500 Electric Belt Loader and the TIM20E Electric Baggage Tractor.
Speaking in the middle of the afternoon after the record-breaking attendance was confirmed, Conference Chairman Max Gosney said: “It is brilliant to see the development of GSE Expo Europe. We had a great launch show and it is spreading with manufacturers helping us bring the customer base here.”
Gosney was also proud to say that it was not just the number of delegates through the door, they were coming from a wider range of countries with more visitors from Asia, the Americas and Africa.
He said: “It is great record numbers and we are getting global representation. It is called GSE Expo Europe but it is very much an international show.”
GSE manufacturers used the show to unveil new products with Mallaghan unveiling the TSU3000E, a fully-electric lavatory truck powered by 80V Lithium-ion batteries.
Textron GSE held a media gathering in the morning so the press could meet the team and see the new Safeaero 220E electric de-icer.